The U.S. Virgin Islands is a beautiful land with wonderful people, working to put their community, businesses, and lives back together after the twin blows from Hurricanes Irma and Maria. The St. John Shade Project is an effort of ShadeScapes Americas, to help in the Herculean effort facing USVI.

A long chain of logistics and many hands got the shade and supplies to St. John, and delivered to locations around Coral Bay where we are beginning the installations.

For the past four days our team has been getting everything in place for installing the “gift of shade” at over twenty locations around St. John. Installation starts today with umbrellas going up at Indigo’s and Pickles in Paradise.

A small island with a year-round population around 5,000 the challenges facing the people here are significant. Logistics are complicated, communications is sporadic.

But the St. Johnians are resilient, upbeat, and working hard to get things back on track. We’ll be posting throughout the week, with some of the stories of the businesses we are partnering with, and the amazing volunteers and others pitching in to help, to get their businesses back on line, and to welcome back the many visitors that love Love City. St. John is coming back and we are honored to be a small part in it.

Shade brings us together. St. John Shade Project couldn’t provide the “gift of shade” if not for the many wonderful and supportive members of the St. John community!

St. John and the U.S. Virgin Islands sit in the Atlantic about 900 miles east of Florida. Just getting there is a bit of an adventure. Thankful to the St. John Shade Project volunteers and helpers!

Special shout out to Penn Trucking! St. John Shade Project wouldn’t be getting the work done without their tremendous assist! On Thursday Penn Trucking made our Coral Bay Delivery Day a big success.

]]>http://www.northforkscrapbook.org/the-scrapbook/st-john-shade-project-makes-landing/feed02649ShadeScapes Americas: A Community-Minded Company to Watchhttp://www.northforkscrapbook.org/community/shadescapes-americas-a-community-minded-company-to-watch
http://www.northforkscrapbook.org/community/shadescapes-americas-a-community-minded-company-to-watch#respondWed, 07 Feb 2018 16:45:10 +0000http://www.northforkscrapbook.org/?p=2643Hotchkiss-based company brings the “Gift of Shade” to St. John, U.S. Virgin Island

Named a Colorado Company to watch in 2017, ShadeScapes Americas is not letting its small-town home-base hold it back or stunt its reach. For Jo Edmondson, founder and CEO, it’s about community.

July 5, 2017 Delta County Independent

ShadeScapes showroom serves as gathering spot for community and business leaders to meet.

Locating the ShadeScapes headquarters in Colorado’s rural North Fork Valley serves several purposes. Being able to locate in this scenic mountain valley is reward itself, of course, for those that appreciate the slower pace, farm-to-table ethic, and outstanding outdoor opportunities.

The “Main Street” location serves as an anchor on Bridge Street, which is also Colorado Highway 92, and the Hotchkiss business strip. The space is in a historic building that the company was able to repurpose and update as a modern office suite and showroom, bringing new activity to the town’s core.

It’s about community.

Enthusiasm for community is central to the company’s ethic, and the ShadeScapes Hotchkiss headquarters regularly serves as space pulling together local leaders, organizations, and businesses.

October 11, 2017 Delta County Independent

The Shade Project operates under the idea that “community knows no boundary,” and locally, ShadeScapes had already been making donations of some product through philanthropy around the North Fork Valley and beyond.

The St. John Shade Project will be bringing the Gift of Shade to the U.S. Virgin Islands this Valentine’s Day.

After the hurricanes Irma and Maria battered the Caribbean, the many small businesses there were left wondering how to recover in time to welcome back tourists and keep their employees working. Jo’s own history in the U.S. Virgin Islands provided an opportunity to put the company’s philosophy into action outside the valley.

There is still a challenging road ahead for St. John and other places in the Caribbean. But residents are resilient, and rebuilding is happening quickly. Still, the set-back is real and the St. John Shade Project hopes to bring the gift of shade as its contribution to this effort. From the St. John Shade Project news release about the trip:

ShadeScapes Americas is bringing 50 umbrellas to island restaurants and schools, a commercial value of $65,800. Originally, the company committed to donating 30, but found the need to be much greater and decided to cover the cost of bringing more umbrellas by donating 25% of the company’s outlet sales back to the project. ShadeScapes is handling all the logistics of getting the donation to the island, has recruited volunteers from both St. John and Colorado, and will install all of the umbrellas during the week of Valentine’s Day. A list of some of the recipients can be seen HERE.

While the idea is simple, the endeavor itself—which involves renting a shipping container and barge space, customs, trucking and volunteers—is quite a production. And the idea behind it all is huge – That there is room for everyone, every business, every community to do a good deed.

“Shade brings us together”

The St. John Shade Project is about one small community reaching out to another, peer-to-peer, as one small business helping other small businesses.

The slogan of the Shade Project makes the case that every company, no matter its business, and every community, no matter the size, has a way to give back. For ShadeScapes, shade was the clear choice, as is the connection made through one community sharing with another.

“While it might not be obvious on the surface, the communities of St. John and the North Fork Valley have a lot of similarities,” says Jo Edmondson, “Both places enjoy a casual lifestyle and are fueled by the passions and hard work of small businesses. We all care deeply about our communities and are there to support one another through the good and the bad. When we started hearing from other Coloradans who love both places, it really brought to light the impact that travel makes on people and affirmed that giving has no boundaries.”

The U.S. Virgin Islands will need help to rebuild and get back on track after the dual blows from the 2017 hurricane season. Some of this help will need to come from the United States government. But there are lots of ways to connect, acting like sister communities, though mutual support and friendship too.

Follow St. John Shade Project

You can follow the St. John Shade Project over the next couple of weeks as it delivers the gift of shade to St. John on Facebook at @StJohnShadeProject on Instagram at @StJohnShadeProject and on Twitter @StJohnShadeProj

About St. John Shade Project

St. John Shade Project team assembles in ShadeScapes Showroom to prepare.

How does the St. John Shade project work?

ShadeScapes Americas’ staff and volunteers will be on the island from February 6-18, 2018 to install the donated umbrellas at local restaurants and schools. ShadeScapes founder and CEO, Jo Moniak Edmondson, visited the island in December to identify recipients. And since, has been working remotely to collect specific needs and measurements for each of the 22 locations.

A portion of proceeds from all ShadeScapes sales are going toward the purchase of additional umbrellas: 25% of purchases made on the Gift of Shade Outlet – www.giftofshade.com

Stories of the recipient businesses, partners and volunteers are being told on the Gift of Shade website and shared on social media.

About ShadeScapes Americas

For 15 years, ShadeScapes Americas has been at the forefront of outdoor design by bringing beautifully crafted, architectural-grade umbrellas, cabanas and modern furniture to North American. From Belgium to South Africa, Quebec to Germany, ShadeScapes partners with international manufacturers to serve design professionals, businesses and residential buyers. With a web-based model that delivers stunning visuals, detailed product information and professional advice, ShadeScapes helps clients design extraordinary outdoor spaces. Named a Colorado Company to Watch in 2017. www.shadescapesamericas.com

]]>http://www.northforkscrapbook.org/community/shadescapes-americas-a-community-minded-company-to-watch/feed02643Connecting the Dots: Field-to-Tablehttp://www.northforkscrapbook.org/community/connecting-the-dots-field-to-table
http://www.northforkscrapbook.org/community/connecting-the-dots-field-to-table#respondTue, 19 Jul 2016 16:36:18 +0000http://www.northforkscrapbook.org/?p=2589Farm-to-Table dining has become wildly popular across the nation, and more people are making deliberate choices based on where their food comes from and how it’s grown. The North Fork Valley is no exception.

Paonia has been known as an agricultural hub for many years, and is home to an abundance of organic farms. It’s an oasis of cherries, hops, peaches, grapes and more, attracting visitors who hold their food, wine and beer to high standard.

Some farmers are even extending the farm-to-table trend further by inviting folks to dine in their field.

Steve Ela of Ela Family Farms hosts an annual dinner in his apple orchard each Spring. Anyone is welcome of course, but Steve prefers to target retail and farmer’s market customers who are not yet familiar with his farm. Guests dine directly beneath the fruit trees where they can be fully immersed in all the smells, sounds and sights of the farm as they gaze upon the West Elk Mountain Range.

The following day, Steve walks participants through the orchard to talk about how he and his family prune, thin, irrigate, control insects and diseases, and harvest and pack the fruit for sale. “It’s a great opportunity for people to learn about what we do and how we get their fruit to them,” says Ela.

Providing interactive experiences, such as field-to-table dinners is essential for people to develop a true understanding and connection with the land. The more people invest in healthy and local eating, the more people will fight to protect pristine places like the North Fork Valley. And with this increased agricultural support, the local economy will thrive.

In addition to the field to table meal at Ela Family Farms, the West Elks Wine Trail will be hosting a few as well! Leroux Creek and Mesa Winds Farm and Winery will be offering field to table meals on Friday, August 5th, and Alfred Eames Cellars as well as Stone Cottage Cellars will be providing dinner on the 6th. Take a look at the West Elks AVA website to learn more about the West Elks Wine Trail!

And be sure to check out Desdemona Dallas’ article “Climate Change from Farm to Table” to learn more about the connection farmers on the Western Slope and folks on the Front Range have created, the value in fostering these relationships, and how working together can help address some of the planet’s most pressing issues.

Solar Energy International (SEI) recently launched its Solarize Delta County, an effort to increase the accessibility and affordability of solar energy for all Delta County residents. With the support of the Delta County Economic Development (DCED), Solarize Delta County seeks to raise local awareness of solar, lower the cost of solar electric (PV) systems, and significantly ramp up adoption of PV throughout Delta County.

The Paonia launch of Solarize Delta County was announced at a groundbreaking ceremony for a 10kW solar array at Paonia High School on Friday, April 15th 2:00 PM. This donated installation is the culmination of a pilot STEM/vocational course adapted from SEI’s training curriculum, in partnership with the Delta County School District. The inaugural students will participate in a barn-raise install together with the donated time of Solarize partner installer Brad Burritt of Empower Energy Systems in Hotchkiss.

The Delta launch event will take place Wednesday, May 4th from 4-6 PM, hosted by DCED at their location on 145 W. 4th St. Delta, CO 81416. Join the Solarize team, installers and partners for a mingling event to learn more about going solar the Solarize way! Speaking to DCED’s motivation to partner in Solarize Delta County, Program Coordinator Paul Stockwell said “There are a number of reasons for residents to be excited about a Solarize Delta County, from the perspective of long-term cost savings and environment concerns. Similar projects in other states have shown to help the local solar economy and create professional-wage jobs in a number of areas, which can add to the overall vitality of the County.”

The Solarize effort features outreach and social events from April 15th to July 15th to educate and guide potential solar candidates through a streamlined assessment and installation process. The program is an expansion of 2015 Solarize North Fork Valley effort that resulted in over $400,000 in local investment in solar with the installation of 22 residential systems, totally 120kW.

Leveraging new partnerships, financing, and a team of Solar Ambassadors, Solarize Delta County will not only expand the benefits of “going solar” to more county residents, but also galvanize the community around a bigger vision of local energy independence and renewable energy as means of economic revitalization.

“Solarize Delta County’s emphasis is on increasing accessibility and affordability to the smart investment that is solar,” said Solarize Program Coordinator Gerald Espinosa. “Solarize is creating a path for people to go solar. The more people that go solar, the more everyone saves with the tiered rebate structure of Solarize.”

To receive more information about participating in Solarize, learn about upcoming educational events, or if you are passionate about local energy and wish to volunteer your skills and passions to empower your neighbors to go solar, please reach out to the Solarize Team at solarize@solarenergy.org or call 970-527-7567x 213. Sign a contract by June 1st to receive a $250 credit to remote monitor your system! Register for the program and a free site assessment at http://www.solarenergy.org/solarize-registration/ .

Spring is a time of revelations, new beginnings and adventure, but it’s also a time of new life. Each spring hundreds of baby farm animals are born in the North Fork Valley, and they’re raised with immense thoughtfulness and care.

Over the last couple weeks, I visited some of the valley’s farms. I’m so incredibly fortunate to live in an area abundant with farmers who have devoted their lives to nourishing our community.

Gray Acres

Jake used to work for James and Carol Schott at Lamborn Mountain Farmstead and has now taken on their small goat herd enterprise.

My first farm venture took me out to Old Crawford Road where I was warmly greeted by Jake and Sharon Gray of Gray Acres Farm. The couple is fairly new to farming but has taken the bull by the horns and has never looked back! Recently, Jake and Sharon have expanded their quaint, lovely farm by welcoming a herd of goats and baby chicks!

As of now they are raising Nubian Saanen and Saanen Alpine goats (both dairy milking breeds) and pasture-raised chickens. The pair is working towards a sustainable lifestyle on the farm offering goat herd shares, as well as chicken and strawberry sales.

Female Saanen Alpine looking as cute as ever!

One of Jake and Sharon’s baby goats sharing the love!

Check out Jake and Sharon’s blog to learn more about them, their farming practices and their adorable baby animals!

The Living Farm

Lynn and Horatio

The next stop on my search for baby animals was The Living Farm, owned and operated by the Gillespie family since 1938. Not only does TLF have a rich history in the valley but it also has a rich diversity of little critters.

While I was visiting, Lynn Gillespie took me on a tour of the farm where I quickly fell smitten to all the newborn lambs, baby chicks and overall beauty. The best part however, was not just seeing the animals, but also cuddling with them too!

TLF raise hundreds of chickens each year; both meat birds and laying hens.

Lynn uses wool from the California Varegated Mutant Sheep to make down pillows and slippers.

Fire Mountain Fiber

There are currently 15 lambs on the farm with more on the way!

Next on my list of farms to visit was Fire Mountain Fiber, a family owned fiber mill outside of Hotchkiss that raises animals a little less common, such as Icelandic Sheep, Angora and Cashmere Goats, and alpacas. Owners Jim and Diane Firor raise these specific breeds because of the large amount of high quality wool they produce.

First time moms usually have one kid, while twins are common with experienced moms.

James, who is a farmer/felt artist, processes the wool from his animals to be sold to artists alike as raw fiber, felt, yarn and roving. The sheep actually have to be shorn twice a year because their wool can grow 18 inches thick! The spring shear is done with the intention of cleaning all the hay from the sheep’s dreadlocked winter wool. Once they are shorn, the sheep only eat grass from the pasture keeping their wool immaculate for processing.

Visit their website to learn more about the farm and to view photos of the Icelandic sheep before they are shorn.

Charlie, the lamb in the front is known as a ‘pirate’ due to his free will to feed from any mom!

Mamas to be

Princess Beef

Cynthia and Ira Houseweart of Princess Beef had a pretty memorable breeding season this year. Just last week, a calf was born who shares the same white blaze on her head as the farm’s namesake cow, Princess. Princess Beef began in 1999 with a cow named Princess which was given to Cynthia by Steve and Rachel Allen. Princess was raised by Cynthia at the Allen Ranch, where she was a ranch hand for many years. It was through Princess and the calves she had that the idea of selling 100 % grass-fed and finished beef was created. It wasn’t until this most recent calf, Little Princess, that any other calf has shared the same distinguished marking as the original Princess!

Little Princess and her Mom, Princess Leia

Mothers and calves stay at Princess Beef until they are healthy enough to integrate with the rest of the herd on Fruitland Mesa.

The Housewearts have deep roots in the valley. Cynthia, Ira and their two girls, live and work on their fifth generation portion of the ranch and raise cattle that are certified by Animal Welfare Approved and the American Grassfed Association. As stewards of the animals and the land, they practice holistic and sustainable methods: gently walking the animals from one grazing spot to the next every few days depending on the growing season. It’s good for the cows and it’s good for the ecosystem!

Throughout my baby animal farm tour, it really struck me how each of these farmers has endless love for their farms, their animals and their lifestyles. This isn’t just a job (although it’s a lot of work!). Farming in the North Fork, with its clean air and pure water, is a passion for them. It’s this pristine landscape that keeps the farmers here. It’s what makes this place special. For many in the North Fork the passion that brought and keeps them here also makes them adamant advocates for its protections.

Newborn kid at Gray Acres

TLF sells their breedstock all over the U. S.!

The Gillespie’s also raise East Friesian Sheep used for milking and native to northern Germany.

Llamas are very alert, protective animals, and are the guardians of the lambs at Fire Mountain Fiber.

2015 Mountain Harvest Festival: September 24 – 27, Paonia Colorado

If summer is coming to a close, can Mountain Harvest Festival be far behind? We at Mountain Harvest Creative (the new name of the organization that brings you the Festival) are busy preparing for our 15th annual festival, September 24 – 27 this year. That is right before Cedaredge’s Applefest and after a summer full of festival events in Paonia, Crawford, Delta, and Hotchkiss. My, but our valley and elsewhere in the county are becoming a hotbed of wonderful activities!

But back to Paonia’s Mountain Harvest Festival. The Entertainment Guide that describes everything about the Festival is available at numerous places throughout the valley. Here is a preview of some of the new events you can expect along with your favorites, like the chili cook-off on Friday, the grape stomp on Saturday, the Sunday brunch and Farmers’ Market, and the ever popular kids area on Saturday and Sunday.

Every year the Thursday night Harvest of Voices – local writers reading their most recent poetry and prose – is “sold out”. Try to get your reserved seat tickets in advance. But don’t worry, in order to accommodate all eager literary fans, a live radio link will be broadcast to the Paradise Theatre across the street from the Blue Sage Center where the event takes place. No longer will the overflow crowd have to crane their necks around the door to the Blue Sage hall.

Photo courtesy of Mountain Harvest Festival website

There is so much going on Friday evening, we have stretched things out to allow folks to participate in everything. To that end, the Final Friday Art Walk among the many galleries and other establishments, which display art, will take place from noon to 4:00 pm. Having worked up an appetite, art afficionados may wander over to Town Park to sample the great variety of chilies, cooked up by local chefs. Then if you still are hungry, some of the Festival food vendors will be happy to fill you up between the hours of 5:00 and 7:00.

Also new this year is Cow Pie Bingo on Saturday afternoon. The Flight of the Eagle project will bring a cow to an area of Town Park that has been fenced off and divided into squares. They will take bets on where the cow will make a deposit. Hilarious!

The Hellecksons are preparing a winemakers dinner at their vineyard Saturday night, featuring local foods prepared in exquisite dishes and paired with, of course, local wines. Entertainment by the Scones. For more information, check their website info@stonecottagecellars.com or call 527-3444.

Photo courtesy of Teya Cranson

Saturday evening, 10 bands will perform for the price of one $30 ticket in four venues down town. By popular demand, each band will have an hour and one half set – much longer than in previous years. Come meet band members at the Eccentric Artist, a new ticketed event this year.

The final event on Sunday in the park will be a Disco Soup dinner brought to you by Slow Food Western Slope. The menu will feature dishes made with locally grown fresh food that is “less than perfect.” Factory farms can make perfect looking food. We, who live here, are more interested in how good it tastes. So come sample OUR food.

The best way to prepare for the 15th annual Mountain Harvest Festival is to read the Entertainment Guide from cover to cover. Now that you have read the entire E-Guide, it is time to start planning your weekend. If you can’t find something of interest in this full color tabloid style newspaper, you are just not trying! See you in September.

]]>http://www.northforkscrapbook.org/community/mountain-harvest-festival-is-coming/feed02503Food Truck Frenzyhttp://www.northforkscrapbook.org/the-scrapbook/lifestyle/food-truck-frenzy
http://www.northforkscrapbook.org/the-scrapbook/lifestyle/food-truck-frenzy#respondThu, 17 Sep 2015 13:06:16 +0000http://www.northforkscrapbook.org/?p=2478Let’s face it most everyone loves food, and particularly when it’s delicious, healthy, different and fast. Cue food trucks! Food trucks have been taking off over the last few years all across the nation. There are even food truck rallies and festivals, catering to all kinds of truck crawlin’ fans.

Street food has also been a huge hit in Paonia. Three food trucks consistently serve our community, including Taco Bliss, 1-2 Thai, and Mad Wrappers. They’re perfect for those busy days when you need a quick bite to eat, or even a slower day when you want to enjoy a meal in the sunshine with a friend.

Located at the intersection of Grand Avenue and 1st Street, the food trucks are in the prime spot of town! Every Monday through Thursday and soon to be Fridays from 11am-2:30pm, locals and visitors alike dash towards the food trucks to fill up on wraps, tacos and Thai food.

Taco Bliss

Ed Vaughn and his daughter, Katie are currently in their third season as Taco Bliss, and they are quite the team! Since the early age of 8 and three businesses later, Katie has stood by Ed’s side as his number one business partner. Ed was a former restaurant owner and has been classically trained in French and Italian cooking. The food served at Taco Bliss is a reflection of Ed’s life experience in cooking as he incorporates ingredients from many cultures.

Although owning restaurants was great, the huge overhead, and the stresses of owning a building and managing a large staff made life and success difficult. So over three years ago, when they first laid eyes on a 1969 Roadrunner Camper Trailer, they knew it was time to get back in business; this time on a smaller scale. They worked hard to remodel the Roadrunner into what is now a certified kitchen and taco haven, setting the food truck scene in Paonia.

Ed and Katie take a lot of pride in the food they sell, and have harvested about 2,000 lbs. of their very own garden vegetables this year. Everything they serve is homemade with the exception of the tortillas, and most of their ingredients are local, organic, and 75% GMO free. By the end of next year, Ed and Katie aim to serve 100% GMO free food. There are some new menu items this year as well, including original hot sauce, enchiladas, arepas, rice cakes, grit patties and rice, not to mention vegan and vegetarian options too!

Also, Taco Bliss is fully committed to Paonia, the main reason being that they love it here!

“Serving Paonia is honestly a dream come true. The people here are fantastic, appreciative and very complimentary…it makes what we do such a joy.” –Ed Vaughn

1-2 Thai

Alm and Tyson Schneller of 1-2 Thai were inspired to start a food truck business last year while perusing Craigslist. They had been working on a local farm for years, but unfortunately it shut down. Tyson and Alm didn’t know exactly what they wanted to do, but they knew they wanted to stay in Paonia.

The pair began to search Craigslist for new ideas when they stumbled upon an old American style cuisine food truck. A light went on, and the next thing they knew they were driving to Wyoming to purchase the truck.

Once Alm and Tyson returned to the Valley, they quickly got to work. The truck was in serious need of a makeover as it was equipped with a popcorn machine, a hot dog maker and a thick coat of grease. Alm and Tyson gutted the entire truck and remodeled the inside to meet the standards of a pristine, certified commercial kitchen.

Alm and Tyson didn’t know what to expect of owning a food truck, but they did know that it would entail a flexible schedule, mobility, which would allow for traveling opportunities, and a fun way to earn some cash. More importantly, it meant that Alm could carry on the family tradition of preparing street food. Her mother has been serving breakfast on a street corner in Thailand for the past thirteen years. She is a fabulous cook and has instilled in Alm the confidence and skill it takes to run a successful street food business. Alm has been very much influenced and inspired by her mom throughout this endeavor.

When designing a menu for the Thai truck, Alm and Tyson had to consider the types of food that could be prepared in a small truck. Nonetheless, their menu is quite extensive including everything from Tom Yum Soup, to Green Curry to a Vegetarian Special. They are also excited to share two new menu items with their fans next year; Ginger Stir Fry and Pad-See-Ew. Alm and Tyson love the support they receive from the Paonia crowd, and you can catch them in Grand Junction on Fridays as well.

Mad Wrappers

Robin Kauffman of Mad Wrappers is a seasoned restaurant, retail and food truck owner. In the 90s she owned a restaurant in Paonia called Sadie Mae’s, and she’s also had experience running food trucks in Maine. More recently, Kauffman owned a consignment store in Delta called Renovators Warehouse. After five years with Renovators Warehouse, Kauffman sold the store this past October to try her hand in the food truck business again. Kauffman’s reasoning behind this career move was to be able to have the freedom to travel again while still owning her own business.

“With a food truck you go to so many different places and meet so many different people. I enjoy the people in this business. They are creative, motivated, hard-working and team oriented.”

Kauffman even has the flexibility to shut down her food truck business in the winter if she’d like, and try something new for a few months.

If you’ve been to Mad Wrappers or have spotted it from a distance, you’ve seen the incredible, Alice in Wonderland themed artwork on the sides of the truck. The murals were painted by Kauffman’s dear friend, Dolores Wilson. Wilson and Kauffman both loved that they were able to use their creative energy to design a unique image. However, the Mad Wrappers truck didn’t always look so nice. Robin spent a lot of time, effort and money to meet the health code requirements of a food truck business, and continues to have more ideas for improvement.

Kauffman chose to serve wraps at her food truck because they’re so versatile. You can put just about anything in a wrap, which is nice for pleasing even the pickiest of eaters.

The names of all the wraps prepared at Mad Wrappers correlate with the Alice in Wonderland theme. Some of the more popular wraps include, the Mad Platter, a pulled pork/ green chili wrap, the Pocket Watch, a Greek gyro on pita bread, and the Cheshire, the chicken fajita wrap. Kauffman also has a selection of kid friendly menu items that include prizes.

This winter she plans on revamping the menu with a few new choices. Kauffman has been working hard on finding an affordable gluten free wrap that is the appropriate size for all the delicious filling options. This way she can better accommodate those with dietary restrictions. Until then, she’s been using freshly made tortillas from a great restaurant based out of Grand Junction.

The Mad Wrappers are part of a larger group of trucks called Food Truck Fridays. This group travels throughout Mesa County each Friday serving in rotation to Grand Junction, Palisade and Fruita. They’ve also been frequenting Paonia on Mondays and enjoy visiting and having conversations with local folks. Mad Wrappers appreciates how accommodating everyone has been, especially the owner of the Food Truck site, Justy.

A couple common threads among these three food truck businesses is that they all serve fantastic food and they all love working with the North Fork Valley community. If you haven’t ventured out to eat and visit with the Mad Wrappers, Taco Bliss or 1-2 Thai yet, I highly recommend it.

Earlier this spring, local educator, Lauren Ziccardi and former Solar Energy International AmeriCorps VISTA, Kristen O’Brien felt the spark of a brilliant idea! They envisioned a beautiful mural at the intersection of BoxElder and 4th Street here in Paonia that would first and foremost provide a space for neighbors to get to know neighbors. Ziccardi and O’Brien’s thoughts were that once neighbors became familiar with one another, they could work collaboratively on creating safer street crossings, as well as creating physical artifacts that community members can gather around year after year.

Ziccardi had participated in a few workshops that were held in Portland, Oregon led by a group called the Village Building Convergence who develop placemaking projects.

“Placemaking is a multi-layered process within which citizens foster active, engaged relationships to the spaces they inhabit to inspire communal stewardship and lived connection.” – Village Building Convergence

Photo Credit: Brooke Warren

She learned a lot about planning and facilitating community art projects and used her skills to spearhead the construction of the Art Wall in front of Elsewhere Studios. That project was a huge success and the community art bug bit her again!

The intentions of the street painting project were clear, but enlisting the help of others was key. Ziccardi’s first point of contact was Paonia Elementary School. She proposed this idea as a representative of The Learning Council during a parent/teacher committee meeting where it was well received. Before long, the school was on board, and students were imaginatively designing their ideal intersections. Some included the Paonia Eagle mascot or decorative fountains, but the majority was centered on nature.

Photo Credit: Brooke Warren

After students submitted their designs, all neighbors within a three block radius were invited to Ziccardi’s and O’Brien’s home for a series of tea parties, potlucks and design workshops to meet one another, become informed of the project, and express their opinion; positive or negative. It was important for Ziccardi, O’Brien and the project’s core committee for everyone to be aware of the intentions of the project, and to have a voice. Members of the core committee included, Jodi Simpson and Cari Johnson, who both acted as liaisons for Paonia Elementary School, as well as Susie Kaldis, local artist and founder of Theoni Designs, myself and many of the local artists.

Photo Credit: Brooke Warren

Ziccardi and O’Brien also committed to working with the Town of Paonia to ensure their approval of the project. They met with the town council on multiple occasions to develop a written policy, which will now be used for similar projects in the future, and sort out all of the logistical details. Ziccardi and O’Brien got in touch with the Colorado Department of Transportation as well to get their opinion on the highest quality, and safest type of paint to use on the street.

Photo Credit: Brooke Warren

After months of research and preparation, The Learning Council team’s hard work paid off and the project was approved. The final design to be painted on 4th Street (the location changed slightly due to future water line repairs) was a Peony flower with a river running through it and mountains surrounding it. Naropa, Susie Kaldis, Willow, and Aralia Rose, who are all outstanding artists created this piece by interpreting all the designs from students and neighbors, truly capturing the community’s visions.

Photo Credit: Brooke Warren

Soon after approval, a date was set, paint was ordered, invitations were distributed, and donations were accepted! Artists began to lay out the design on Friday and painting commenced on Saturday. Everyone was also enthusiastic to lend a hand to local artist, Ryan Strand who built a willow branch arch over the entryway of the school, and get creative with fun, fence weaving! The support from the community was unreal, and the energy was high. Kids and adults alike were lined up and ready to paint, while sunshine, good tunes, colorful paint, local food, and smiles paved the way for a beautiful weekend.

Photo Credit: Brooke Warren

Thank you to all the sponsors, artists, painters, and overall supporters of this project. It certainly was amazing to be a part of the entire process, and to not only witness the beauty of the street painting, but the beauty of the community.

National Conservation Lands were established under the Clinton administration to provide a unifying vision for the Bureau of Land Management’s various specially-designated lands including National Monuments, National Conservation Areas, Historic Trails, Wilderness and Wilderness Study Areas, as well as other specially designated lands.

The Bureau of Land Management’s National Landscape Conservation System, better known as the National Conservation Lands, was created in 2000 with the mission to “conserve, protect, and restore these nationally significant landscapes that have outstanding cultural, ecological, and scientific values for the benefit of current and future generations.”

This year, Clinton Secretary of Interior Bruce Babbitt reflected on the vision behind this public lands conservation system:

These conservation lands will remain as undeveloped open spaces, a place for unbounded recreation and individual adventure. They will be conserved and used within a continuum of regional history and tradition. There is immense popular support for this vision.

Adobe Badlands Wilderness Study Area. Conservation Colorado photo.

Under Executive authority the NLCS had only administrative protections that could be undone at the whim of any future president.

So In 2009 Congress enacted legislation that authorized the first new public lands designation in decades, the National Landscape Conservation System.

This year, President Obama issued a statement on the 15th anniversary of the original unifying vision for these lands, noting in part, that:

America has a long and proud tradition of environmental stewardship, and for the last 15 years, the National Conservation Lands have played an important part in carrying that tradition forward. …As we find additional opportunities to protect our wild and scenic places, the National Conservation Lands will continue to play a critical role in safeguarding the cultural, ecological, and scientific value of our environment.

There is one national monument, and three national conservation areas in Colorado. Colorado also manages five wilderness areas and fifty-four wilderness study areas. There is also one national historic trail, and one national scenic trail within the conservation system in Colorado. To learn more about the National Conservation Lands in Colorado, click here.

In Delta County we have seven National Conservation Lands units on BLM public lands, including: two Wilderness Areas, two Wilderness Study Areas, two National Conservation Areas, and a National Historic Trail.

The National Conservation Lands in Delta County provide an important resource for education, from their unique habitats and high desert ecosystems, to traces of 10,000 years of human habitation from prehistoric Indians to pioneer orchardists. Recreational opportunities range from mountain biking and desert hiking, to white water rafting and family canoe trips. Wildlife include rare and sensitive species as well as iconic animals like Desert Bighorn sheep

This year as the National Conservation Lands System celebrated its fifteenth year, Colorado celebrated a new addition to the system—Browns Canyon National Monument. This continues the vision of these lands as President Obama recognized in his statement:

On the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the National Conservation Lands, let us recommit to conserving, protecting, and restoring our landscapes so our next generation can experience and advance America’s rich natural heritage.

Colorado is blessed with a tremendous wealth of America’s public lands, a source of pride that we can serve host to these national treasures. And right here in Delta County we are lucky to have some of the best examples of National Conservation Lands that the West can offer. So get out there and enjoy them.

First-hand information about the National Forest can be found at the Paonia Ranger District office on Rio Grande Avenue in Paonia. Interact with knowledgeable staff or pick up a map or brochure that will provide insight to the best camping locales, trails and more.

The Paonia Ranger District is comprised of 478,000 acres of some of the most beautiful land in Colorado. Formally part of Battlement Reserves, the District is now home to the larger Gunnison National Forest, almost a quarter million acres of which are designated as Wilderness.

Within the Paonia Ranger District there are three main campgrounds, 277 miles of horseback and hiking trails, and 344 different species of wildlife and fish. Trails can be explored on your own or with one of the 15 outfitters that operate under permit. Embark on a hunting expedition or a leisurely hike while learning about the local flora and fauna.

If you’re looking for a rather rugged evening in the woods under the starry sky distant from the noise of fellow campers, you’re in luck! Dispersed camping is allowed in the Gunnison National Forest. There are also developed campgrounds within the Paonia Ranger District, including McClure Pass, Erickson Springs and Lost Lake. All three of these campgrounds are gateways to some of the best hiking in the area, and offer some of the most spectacular views. McClure Pass is perhaps the most rustic of the three and requires no fee; just a pack it in pack it out philosophy, whereas Lost Lake and Erickson Springs are equipped with treated water and trailer access. The Paonia District manages portions of two Wilderness Areas – The West Elk Wilderness Area and the Raggeds Wilderness Area.

As part of the Forest Service, the Paonia Ranger District has a strong emphasis on managing wildlife and fisheries habitat while the state manages the wildlife itself. The Forest Service recognizes the wide range of habitat needs for wildlife and fisheries and does their best to maintain an ideal living space. For example, there are 55 threatened or endangered plants that some wildlife and fish depend on, which require vegetation management on the Forest Service’s part. A grazing program is also implemented through the Forest Service, as a part of its original mandate and mission, where in the Forest Service manages the number of livestock to better ensure healthy and sustained productivity of the range.

Somewhat unique to the Paonia Ranger District is the high quantity of energy resources. Coalmining has been a feature in the valley since the early 1900s, and has supported many area families over the years. Today, there are approximately 14,000 acres of coal leases, and two mines operating in the valley. There are also over 85,000 acres of existing oil and gas leases, with 16 wells already operating, on the National Forest, primarily in the Muddy Creek area in the upper North Fork, and north of Somerset.

The Paonia Ranger District also does a lot of community outreach. They offer a number of conservation education programs covering topics, such as mining, minerals and wildlife biology, as well as high school internships. Additionally, there is a Youth Conservation Corps for kids ages 15-18 who are considering a career with the Forest Service, in which they learn about natural resources, trail building and teamwork. The Forest Service also always has a presence at the major town events including the Cherry Days parade.

“Where conflicting interests must be reconciled, the question shall always be answered from the standpoint of the greatest good of the greatest number in the long run.”

The Paonia Ranger District and the broader Forest Service represent much of what I feel the North Fork Valley finds of value: clean, healthy water, wildlife, recreation and people. And while it has a long history here in the valley, its mission really looks to the future. Protecting the forest and its precious resources is of utmost importance even as it also provides resources and multiple public uses in a sustained and sustainable manner.